Felicity Gerry QC secured Not Guilty verdicts after a 7-week trial on allegations of conspiracy to murder and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life. Felicity acted on behalf of a 19-year-old youth accused of being involved in a ‘drive-by’ shooting in Birmingham. Issues in the trial included ‘joint possession’ of firearms, exploitation in County Lines drug dealing, and relevance of ‘gang’ evidence. She was instructed by Central Chambers Law Solicitors and led Neil Ross from 15 New Bridge Street Chambers. To read more about the trial in this Birmingham Mail article.

In our fourth Libertas Lens, we look at Autism Spectrum Disorder, Covid-19 discounts, virus transmission and new team members. To view the recent edition click here To register for Libertas Lens and ensure you never miss out on our news, events and free webinars follow this link or click Join our Newsletter below.

Felicity Gerry QC secures an acquittal for a child client on an alleged “joint enterprise” murder after a submission of no case to answer. In a trial involving special measures including an intermediary for her vulnerable child client at Manchester Crown Court, Felicity successfully argued that there was no evidence to prove murder. Later her submissions on knowledge were successfully added to the legal directions on other counts. Verdicts on manslaughter and conspiracy to rob were entered yesterday and sentence will take place on 11 June. Read about the trial: Manchester Evening News The Sun IE

In our third Libertas Lens we look at neuroscience, habeas corpus, bankrupts and an absence of victims in sentencing for sexual offences. To view the recent edition click here To register for Libertas Lens and ensure you never miss out on our news, events and free webinars follow this link or click Join our Newsletter below.

Simon Csoka QC is leading the defence submissions in the key preparatory hearing upon Encrochat evidence in Manchester. Simon is leading Oliver Cook and Frances Hertzog from Libertas and Imran Shafi QC from Exchange. We are instructed by Middleweeks and Potter Derby. The submissions are being made by Simon and his juniors on behalf of all the defendants in Operations Embossed and Estevan before Dove J. This is the lead case on many of the admissibility challenges to Encrochat. These are new factual and legal challenges to the legality and admissibility of the material. Other Venetic prosecutions are awaiting the outcome of the hearing and any consequent appeal by either side. The preparatory hearing is due to resume on 4th May after having been adjourned part-heard. The proceedings are subject to reporting restrictions but solicitors are permitted to listen to the hearing through CVP. Our clerks are happy to assist with that. Simon and Oli will deliver a webinar on Encrochat evidence once reporting restrictions permit.

In the spirit of this year’s theme “choose to challenge”, we celebrate our women barristers who have tackled the challenges for women that the pandemic has brought, including homeschooling. Our women have been clerked into and appeared as leading and junior counsel and given their time to mentor young lawyers and students. All our members are committed to challenging a range of women’s issues in criminal justice. In the last year, we have challenged decisions to prosecute trafficked women, the exclusion of women citizens in Syrian camps, the understanding around the new mental health-specific guidelines in relation to women, the limitations of defences for abused women, the complexities and injustices that can occur in child deaths and sentencing of mothers, particularly in serious and complex crime. We look forward to continuing our efforts in the year to come. #choosetochallenge #IWD2021

In our Second Libertas Lens update, we brought you three articles from our expert team and some early information about our upcoming lectures. To view the recent edition click here To register for Libertas Lens and ensure you never miss out on our news, events and free webinars follow this link or click Join our Newsletter below.

In our first Libertas Lens update, we brought you three articles from our expert team and some early information about our upcoming lectures. To view the recent edition click here To register for Libertas Lens and ensure you never miss out on our news, events and free webinars follow this link or click Join our Newsletter below.